US-Turkey economic tension escalates

World

Published: 2018-08-13 11:41

Last Updated: 2024-03-27 23:07


"Our relation with Turkey is not good at this time," US President Trump added.
"Our relation with Turkey is not good at this time," US President Trump added.

The US-Turkey crisis has gotten more complicated as US President Donald Trump recently announced doubling the tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum imports.

Amongst decisions that Turkey took and US doesn’t agree with – the use of Russian missile defense system and the arrest of the American Pastor Andrew Brunson– the relation between the two countries does not fall under the “well” category at all.

The Turkish Lira took a nosedive as the tariffs hike on Turkish imports were deliberately raised by the US. A further drop affected the Turkish Lira on August 10, 2018 Friday as President Trump criticized the Turkish economy in a tweet, confirming that "Aluminum [tarrifs] will now be 20% and Steel 50%."

On his side, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said he will face the American pressure stating that he is supported by “our people, our God.”

The tension escalated when Turkey responded to US sanctions by imposing its own tariffs on certain US imports – reaching a total of $1.8 billion.

The case of Pastor Andrew Brunson:

Pastor Andrew BrunsonPastor Andrew Brunson, a 50 year old American man who has been living in Turkey for the past 23 years and ran the Resurrection Church in Izmir, Turkey. In October 2016, Brunson was arrested and later charged with terrorism over accusations of helping people who attempted a coup but failed. In July 2018, Brunson was released from prison –after spending two years behind bars– and now is subject to house arrest that may last for 35 years. The US government has expressed its disappointment with Turkey over the subject.

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, tweeted regarding Brunson’s release: "We welcome long overdue news that Pastor Brunson has been moved from prison to house arrest in Turkey, but it is not enough. We have seen no credible evidence against Mr. Brunson, and call on Turkish authorities to resolve his case immediately in a transparent and fair manner."

US President Donald Trump also tweeted: "A total disgrace that Turkey will not release a respected U.S. Pastor, Andrew Brunson, from prison. He has been held hostage far too long. Erdogan should do something to free this wonderful Christian husband & father. He has done nothing wrong, and his family needs him!"